Music News

Image Courtesy CMAThe Band Perry‘s Kimberly, Reid and Neil spend just about every day together on the road, but they insist on spending New Year’s Eve as a family, too. Last year the siblings headed up to Asheville, North Carolina for a late supper to ring in the New Year.

Lead singer Kimberly Perry says, “They have this great restaurant called Limones, and it was an amazing way to ring in the year.”

The Perry boys usually put on a little fireworks show for the family on New Year’s eve, but they don’t always play it safe. They like to twist the fuses on their fireworks together so they get double the explosion.

Reid explains, “You light ’em both off at the same time. Like, fingers crossed.”

Neil adds, “Like two fireworks shoot up in the air at the same time.”

Kimberly is quick to tell their fans not to try this fireworks trick at home, though. Neil chimes in, “We are semi-professionals.”

This year, The Band Perry is part of Pitbull’s New Year’s Revolution special airing Wednesday night on Fox.

Image Courtesy Becky FlukeMiranda Lambert has just joined Pinterest with the username Miranda 1506. As you might guess, the singer’s boards revolve mostly around music and rescue animals. Inspired by her recently opened Redemption Ranch no-kill animal shelter in Oklahoma, Miranda has created the Make a Furry Friend Feel at Home Pinterest board with do-it-yourself projects and ideas for dogs.

Miranda and husband Blake Shelton are parents to six rescue dogs. She says, “Every animal has a special place in my heart. Especially my dogs — some of them go everywhere with me. They are like my kids, with their own unique personalities.”

Miranda’s Pinterest boards also feature a ton of content about her music. Her brand-new single, “Little Red Wagon,” is now climbing the country chart.

Image Courtesy Valory Music Co.Brantley Gilbert is performing on ABC’s Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest Wednesday night. It’s his first performance ever on a multi-genre show, and he’s looking forward to seeing how it all works out.

Brantley tells ABC News Radio, “I’m really excited to see the performances and the interaction between people in other genres as opposed to country, you know, ’cause we’re a really close family. I’m just excited about the whole night. I think it’s gonna be a great experience.”

This isn’t Brantley’s first time performing on New Year’s Eve, though. He’s played a big hometown show in Georgia to ring in New Year’s past. Thanks to his fiancée, Amber, this New Year’s Eve could be Brantley’s best yet.

“I’m gonna go ahead and set the bar high just for a million different reasons,” Brantley says of his New Year’s Eve expectations. “You know, I want a shootin’ star. If I got a choice, and I can make sure this year is the best, I’m gonna make this one the best.”

Luke and Carolina tied the knot in 2006. They have two young sons named Bo and Tate. Caroline makes an appearance in Luke’ s video for “Crash My Party,” which has racked up more than 24 million views on YouTube.

Image Courtesy Capitol NashvilleKeith Urban‘s latest album, Fuse, has produced multiple #1 hits and helped him secure a CMA Entertainer of the Year nomination in 2014. More than a decade into his career, Keith says this latest project has been “life-changing.”

Urban tells ET Canada, “As an artist, you know, you’re always wondering what people are going to make of your music. But I made the record that I had in my head and I was very happy with that…But this one’s done amazing things.”

Before Keith release Fuse to the public, he ran every note by his wife, Nicole Kidman.

“Nic’s always the first person I play everything to and I want to get her reaction,” Keith explains. “Particularly because she’s not a musician…professionally speaking…. she loves music! So, her reaction to something is really important to me.”

Keith returns to his American Idol judging duties when the show’s 14th season premieres January 7 at 8 p.m. ET on FOX.

Image Courtesy Capitol NashvilleTouring publication Pollstar has released their list of 2014’s top 20 tours, and three country stars made the list.

Luke Bryan had the biggest country tour bringing in $62.8 million for a #17 finish. George Strait‘s The Cowboy Rides Away tour is next at #18, with $61.8 million coming in this year. Jason Aldean closed out the list at #20, with $52.5 million.

Pop boy band One Direction tops the list with a staggering $282.2 million gross for the year. They sold more than 3.4 million tickets in 2014.

Image Courtesy Jeremy Cowart/Arista NashvilleCarrieUnderwood is always kind to her fans, and now she’s getting formal recognition for those good manners.

The National League of Junior Cotillions releases their list of the Best-Mannered Celebrities at the end of each year. Now, in celebration of the organization’s 25th anniversary, it’s announced the 25 Best-Mannered People of the Past 25 Years, and Carrie Underwood is placed at #13 — just behind Mother Theresa and Tom Hanks.

Jimmy Fallon tops the countdown for his courteous nature hosting NBC’s Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Nelson Mandela, Oprah Winfrey and Peyton Manning are among the other celebrities listed.

Events

The American Cancer Society Cattle Baron’s Ball is a unique event that is held under the evening sky of the Kansas prairie. Distinguished guests from across Northeast Kansas come together to celebrate the progress we have made in the fight more

Calling all Red Dirt Fans!!! Nestled on the banks of the Illinois River at the Diamondhead Resort in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, this three-day jubilee is a true “Red Dirt” reunion, and the only of its kind. Medicine Stone happens September 24th-26th. more